Academic Support Services

The University offers students a wide range of academic support services to facilitate and enhance their education. The breadth of these services is designed to accommodate the needs of a diverse student population.

Academic Advising and Career Development

The Student Success Centers offer USM students an integrated approach to academic advising and career development. Student Success Advisors provide academic advising and career planning assistance to support the development and achievement of students educational and career goals. The Internship and Career Placement office in Payson Smith Hall serves as a clearinghouse for information regarding internship opportunities, service-learning opportunities, and assistance with the job search process.

Following orientation and initial registration, students, during their first semester at the University, are assigned a permanent advisor within their respective academic departments. Students are encouraged to maintain close contact with their department advisor once this assignment has been made.

Students who have not declared a major are provided academic advising by professional Student Success Advisors in USM's Student Success Centers. Student Success Advisors assist students in the development of educational and career goals as well as the selection of an appropriate major. Students should be ready to declare a major before completing 60 credits of coursework at the University.

Students admitted to GO are provided academic advising through the Student Success Centers. Student Success Advisors work with students during the period they complete required coursework. The Student Success Advisor works with students to develop individual academic support plans. Upon completion of the requirements of the academic support plan, students are transitioned from GO and also assigned an advisor in his or her major department.

Non-matriculated students are students who are enrolled in courses at the University on a space available basis and who have not applied for admission. They are advised by the advisors in the Student Success Centers.

The USM Early Study–Aspirations Program offers opportunities for high school students to take college courses to enrich their high school experience. The program is designed to help students supplement, not supplant, the academic program of the high school. Academic requirements must be met, and permission from high school and parent(s) is expected. Financial assistance is available. For more information call (207) 780-4040.

Students who have questions regarding general academic policies and procedures, as well as about other aspects of University programs, are encouraged to contact one of USM's Student Success Centers in 119 Payson Smith Hall on the Portland campus (780-4040), 119 Bailey Hall on the Gorham campus (780-5652), and 119 Lewiston-Auburn College in Lewiston (753-6500). The Internship and Career Placement office is located in 122 Payson Smith Hall on the Portland campus.

University Libraries: Centers of Learning, Research, Writing and Technology

Learning Commons at Glickman Library (2nd Floor) and Gorham Libraries offer research and writing help, learning assistance, group study rooms and computers and technology support. Similar services are offered at the Lewiston-Auburn Library Information Commons. Find out more at http://usm.maine.edu/library/learning-commons.

Access to over 35,000 electronic journals via our databases with most articles available in full text

URSUS Catalog access to 375,000 books supplemented by more than 1.5 million print titles held in the libraries of the other campuses of the University of Maine System, the Maine State Library and the Bangor Public Library with two or three day intercampus delivery

Computing Services

The Computing Services departments provide a variety of technology support services to students, faculty, and staff at the University.

Computer labs for general student use are located on the Gorham, Lewiston-Auburn, and Portland campuses and in the University Libraries. The computer labs have Microsoft Windows and Apple Macintosh computer systems, and academic software applications. Black and white or color printing is available for a nominal fee using the USM Card. Computer classrooms are available on all three campuses for class activity periods.

Resident students are provided an Internet connection in each room as part of their room package. The ResNet program, located in Bailey Hall, Gorham, assists with setup and maintenance of the resident student computers on a walk-in and appointment basis. A walk-in and call-in Helpdesk, located in Luther Bonney Hall, Portland, assists all faculty, staff, and students with computer problems, including some common University login, e-mail, and Internet problems. Assistance can be requested by phone at 780-4029, by e-mail at helpdesk@usm.maine.edu, or on the Web at http://usm.maine.edu/computing. The Campus Computer Store, located in Luther Bonney Hall, Portland, sells computers and accessories at educational discount rates to faculty, staff, and students. In addition discounted high speed Internet service from Time Warner is available to faculty, staff, and students.

More information about any of the services offered by Computing Services can be found at helpdesk@usm.maine.edu.

Instructional Technology and Media Services

The Instructional Technology and Media Services (ITMS) Department provides classroom and instructional technology support for the academic programs of the University. This support includes group or individual sessions on instructional applications of technology in Portland, Gorham, or Lewiston-Auburn.

Other services include the delivery and maintenance of classroom equipment on all three campuses. The Department maintains a collection of non-print materials, with electronic listings available on the USM Web site (http://usm.maine.edu/itms). ITMS staff are available to help with the rental of materials for classroom use.

Academic Assessment

The Office of Academic Assessment coordinates the administration of various testing programs, such as USM's Mathematics Placement Program (e.g., Accuplacer Math Tests) for incoming and transfer students, in addition to certification and national tests for graduating students (e.g., Miller Analogies Test, GRE Subject Tests, LSAT, PRAXIS, and others). Students are encouraged to contact the office for further information at 253 Luther Bonney Hall, Portland campus and visit our Web site for test registration and schedules at http://usm.maine.edu/assessment.

The Office also conducts student assessment studies and student surveys, assists departments in evaluating courses and programs, develops tests and assessment instruments, and provides technical support to the faculty.

Support for Students with Disabilities

The Office of Support for Students with Disabilities (OSSD) provides a wide range of services to qualified students with sensory, mobility, physical, psychological, cognitive, learning and attention disabilities enrolled in USM credit and noncredit bearing courses and programs. Contact OSSD for information regarding particular needs. Documentation may be required. The office is located in 242 Luther Bonney Hall, Portland; 207-780-4706 or TTY 207-780-4395 or visit our Web site:http://usm.maine.edu/oassd.

Learning Assistance and Tutoring: The Learning Commons

The Learning Commons at University Libraries supports students in achieving their academic goals at USM. Designed as a collaborative learning environment, it is an ideal place to meet with other students, consult with a librarian or tutor, or work with a faculty member. The Learning Commons offers guidance with the research and writing process, ranging from the navigation of hundreds of available articles and databases to the review of the final draft of a paper. Students can access free tutoring in multiple subject areas, with an emphasis in writing and math. The Learning Commons also provides students opportunities to discover and practice learning strategies in order to maximize academic time on task.

At The Learning Commons, students can:

Work with a Reference Librarian

Participate in individual and group tutoring sessions

Attend weekly workshops

Receive assistance with technology needs

Work alone or with other students in a relaxed, appealing environment

Our spaces include movable tables and chairs, semi-private study pods, small group study rooms, and comfortable seating options. Students can use one of the many available computers or bring their own laptop, with wireless printing on site. The Portland location includes a small recording studio with a video camera, lighting, sound-proofed walls, and a computer for editing audio and video files.

The Learning Commons is located on the first floor of the Library in Bailey Hall on the Gorham campus, as well as on the second floor of the Glickman Library on the Portland campus.